Mounting system and bracket for window treatments

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket and system are provided for attaching window treatments to windows, the mounting bracket having an arm with a proximal end and a distal end having a first mounting member for supporting a curtain rod, the proximal end having a second mounting member for supporting blinds, and the proximal end having a third mounting member for supporting a roller shade. The distal end is offset laterally or vertically or both laterally and vertically from the proximal end. A window treatment system utilizes the mounting bracket to attach the curtain rods, blinds, and roller shades to the area adjacent a window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to mounting hardware and, more particularly, to a mounting bracket and mounting system for attaching window treatments, such as curtains, blinds, valances, shades, and the like to the area surrounding a window opening in a wall.

2. Description of the Related Art

Decorators employ a variety of window treatments in order to provide privacy and enhance the visual appearance of windows. These can include curtains, blinds, valances, and shades, such as roller shades. Each of these forms of window treatment require hardware for mounting to the area around the window or to the window frame casing.

For example, certain styles of curtains and valances hang from a rod that extends horizontally across the window. The rod mounting hardware can be mounted inside the window casing, such as on each of the vertical sides or to the horizontal headboard at the top of the window casing. For applications requiring the curtains to be mounted outside the window opening, rod holders must be attached to the wall adjacent the window. This mounting hardware must typically accommodate the rod having a circular cross-sectional configuration.

In addition, many decorators mount blinds in a window for additional privacy when the curtains are open. Blinds are typically configured to hang from a box that includes the controls for raising and lowering the slats when the slats are horizontally positioned and for rotating the slats, whether the slats are in a vertical or horizontal orientation. Box brackets are required to be mounted to the sides or top or both of the window casing to support the blinds. Because the box is typically a square or rectangular shape in cross section, the box bracket must be similarly shaped. A curtain rod support bracket would not be useful for supporting a blind box having a quadrilateral configuration.

In addition, roller shades provide additional privacy, including blackout shades that substantially reduce all light entering the window. These shades are typically mounted on a roller that is spring loaded to automatically roll the shade up when released. Such shades require special mounting brackets to accommodate the spring and release hardware that allows the roller shade to properly function.

Because each of these forms of window treatment require their own unique mounting hardware, there is a need for a bracket that can accommodate all three forms of window treatment and that provides simplified mounting of all three support hardware.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mounting bracket and mounting system for supporting multiple forms of window treatment without requiring separate mounting hardware. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mounting bracket for mounting objects to a structure in an area adjacent the window is provided. The mounting bracket includes an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end having a first mounting member configured to support a first object, such as an object having a circular cross-sectional configuration; a second mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a second object, such as a box for blinds having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a third object, such as a roller shade having a circular cross-sectional configuration.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the arm is configured with a bend at or near a midpoint of a length of the arm so that the first mounting member is offset vertically with respect to the proximal end. Ideally, the first mounting member at the distal end of the arm is U-shaped to receive the first object, such as a cylindrical curtain rod. Alternatively, the distal end of the arm is offset laterally from the proximal end or vertically and laterally.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the second mounting member has a back wall and a bottom wall and utilizes the arm as a top wall, with the back wall extending down from the arm and the bottom wall extending towards the distal end of the arm from the bottom of the back wall. The front wall is open, and a lip is provided at the terminating end of the bottom wall to retain the second object, such as the box holding the controls for blinds.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the third mounting member includes a cylindrical wall having a circular cross-sectional shape with at least one open end to receive the third object, which in this case is preferably a roller shade.

In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, a further form of a mounting bracket is provided that is to be mounted at the midpoint of the horizontal top board of the window and is adapted to support the midportion of selected forms of window treatment, e.g., a curtain rod, and a blind box, and with or without a support for the roller blind. Typically, most roller blinds do not have or accommodate a central support and hence this bracket would be adapted to allow the roller blind to pass behind the first mounting member for the blind bracket.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a mounting system for mounting objects to the area surrounding an opening for a window is provided. The mounting system includes at least two brackets, with each bracket including an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end extending from the proximal end, the distal end having a first mounting member configured to support a first object having a circular cross-sectional configuration; a second mounting member located near or at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a second object having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a third object having a circular cross-sectional configuration. Ideally, the distal end is offset from the proximal end either vertically, transversely, or a combination of both.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a window treatment system for providing privacy and decoration for a window and the area surrounding the window that includes at least two mounting brackets for mounting a curtain rod, a roller shade, and a blind to the area surrounding the window, each mounting bracket including: an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end extending from the proximal end, the distal end having a first mounting member configured to support the curtain rod having a circular cross-sectional configuration; a second rod mounting member located near or at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive to receive a box having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration from which the blinds are hung; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a roller shade having a circular cross-sectional configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric projection of a mounting bracket formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a system for mounting window treatments to a window that includes a pair of brackets shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric projection of an alternative embodiment of a mounting bracket formed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention will be illustrated and described in conjunction with window treatments, the present invention can be adapted for supporting objects in conjunction with doorways, entryways, and the like. Hence, the invention is not to be limited to the representative embodiments described herein.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, shown therein is a mounting bracket 10 formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The bracket 10 includes an elongate arm 12 having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the arm 12 has substantially a planar configuration and is ideally formed from a piece of flat metal, such as iron or the like. However, it is to be understood that the arm 12 and all other components of the bracket 10 can be formed from plastic. Ideally, all of the components of the bracket 10 are integrally formed therewith, although they may be separately formed and attached to the arm 12 by fasteners, welding, and the like. While the arm 12 is shown as flat, it can be formed to have other geometric cross-sectional configurations, such as square, rectangular, and circular

The distal end 16 of the arm 12 has a first mounting member 18 at the terminal end thereof that is substantially U-shaped. Ideally, the first mounting member 18 is sized and shaped to accommodate a curtain rod. In order to securely hold such a rod in place, an opening 19 can be provided to allow a fastener, such as a set screw, to be inserted through the mounting member 18 and into the rod. Clamps or other known devices can also be used to secure the rod to the first mounting member 18.

A second mounting member 20 is located near or at the proximal end 14 of the arm 12. The second mounting member 20 has a back wall 22 extending down from the arm 14 and a bottom wall 24 extending forward from the back wall 22 towards the distal end 16 of the arm 10. An upturned lip 26 is formed at a terminal end of the bottom wall 24. In one embodiment, the mounting member 20 utilizes the bottom surface of the arm 14 as the top wall. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a top wall 28 is shown having a width greater than the width of the arm 14. The cross-sectional configuration of the second mounting member 20 is quadrilateral and is sized and shaped to accommodate blinds, particularly a box from which the blinds hang and that encloses the controls and mounting hardware for the blinds.

Positioned on the other side of the back wall of the second mounting member 20 is a third mounting member 30 located on the same side of the arm 14 as the second mounting member 20, which in this embodiment is the underside. The third mounting member 30 has a wall 32 that is cylindrical in shape, and thus it has a circular cross-sectional configuration. The interior 34 is open and is sized and shaped to accommodate a roller shade. An end wall 36 is shown in this embodiment having an opening 38 to accommodate the mounting and control hardware for most standard roller shades. It is to be understood that the end wall 36 is optional and can be left off, or the opening 38 can be eliminated or used for receiving a fastener to attach the bracket 10 to a sidewall of the window, as desired. A set screw can be used in the side wall 32 to hold a roller blind axle in place.

It is noted that the proximal end 14 of the arm 12 has an extension 40 that extends beyond the third mounting member 30 and includes openings 42 to accommodate fasteners. In another embodiment, the bracket 10 can be formed without the extension 40 to accommodate shallower window frames. Additional openings 44 are formed in the arm 14 and through the top wall 28 of the second mounting member 20. It is to be understood that the bottom wall 24 of the second mounting member 20 can be hingedly attached to the back wall 22 to provide access to the openings 44 in the top wall 28 and the proximal end 14 of the arm 12. In addition, the extension 40 of the arm 12 beyond the third mounting member 30 provides access for fasteners and tools to the openings 42.

While this embodiment has been illustrated and described to include all three mounting members for accommodating curtain rods, blinds, and shades, it is to be understood that the bracket 10 can be formed to eliminate one or two of these mounting members.

Referring next to FIG. 2, shown therein is a mounting system that includes two brackets 10 having the configuration described above with respect to FIG. 1. These brackets 10 are shown positioned for mounting on the top wall or header 46 of a window 48 formed in a wall 50. Fasteners 52, such as wood screws, are used to attach each bracket 10 so that the proximal end 14 bears against the head 46 of the window 48. The arm 12 extends outward away from the window 48, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm 12 is preferably bent at a bend line 54 to angle upward with respect to the window 48. This feature positions the object—in this case a curtain rod 58—held in the first mounting member 18 upwards away from the window so it is not visible from outside the window. In another embodiment, the arm 12 can be substantially straight or positioned at other angles. Ideally, the bend 54 can be in the range of 45 degrees upward to 45 degrees downward and is not adjustable. When the brackets 10 are attached to the head 46 of the window 48, the wall 36 of the third mounting member would be positioned against the vertical wall 56 of the window 48. When so mounted, the brackets 10 will be able to support a curtain rod 58 in the first mounting member 18, blinds 60 in the second mounting member 20, and a roller shade 62 in the third mounting member 30.

Referring next to FIG. 3, shown therein is an alternative embodiment of a bracket 70 formed in accordance with the present invention having an elongate arm 72 with a first leg 74 and a proximal end 75, a second leg 76 offset vertically from the first leg 74, and a third leg 78 at a distal end 79 that is transversely offset from the proximal end 75. A first mounting member 80 depends from the distal end 79 in the form of a U-shaped channel 82 formed by a descending wall 86 and a corresponding inclining wall 88 that terminates at a lip 84. A set screw 90 is threadably engaged with the wall 88 to hold a curtain rod or other item in the channel 82.

A second mounting member 92 is formed at the proximal end having a back wall 94 depending downward from the first leg 74, preferably orthogonally thereto. A transverse bottom wall 96 extends substantially orthogonal from the back wall 94 and terminates in an upward bending lip 98. An optional third mounting member 100 is shown positioned proximal to the back wall 94 and consists of a cylindrical wall 102 with a set screw 104 in a bottom portion of the wall to hold the axle of a roller blind in place. An end wall 106 having an opening (not shown) can be formed on the third mounting member 100 to facilitate attachment to the side of a window frame. A cylindrical tube 108 is positioned adjacent the second and third mounting members 92, 100, as shown in FIG. 3 with its longitudinal axis oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm 72. This cylindrical tube 108 provides a second mounting point for a fastener, such as a screw, to mount the bracket 70 to the side of a window and provide additional stability.

The arm 72 is formed so that the second leg 76 angles upward as in previous embodiments described above. In this embodiment, the third leg 78 is offset laterally in the direction of the closed end wall 106 of the third mounting member 100. The companion bracket for mounting in a window frame would be offset in the opposite direction, and would be a mirror image of this bracket 70. The reason for the offset provided by the third leg 78 is to ensure that curtains can close and completely cover the window opening to provide visual privacy.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A mounting bracket for mounting objects, such as curtain rods, blinds, and roller shades, to a structure, comprising: an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end having a first mounting member configured to support a first object having a circular cross-sectional configuration; a second mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a second object having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a third object having a circular cross-sectional configuration.
 2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the arm is formed with a bend along a length of the arm in a first direction.
 3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the arm is offset longitudinally from the proximal end of the arm.
 4. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the first mounting member is U-shaped to receive the first object.
 5. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the second mounting member comprises a back wall and a bottom wall and utilizes the arm as a top wall, the first mounting member having an open front to receive the second object.
 6. The bracket of claim 5 wherein the second mounting member comprises a lip on the bottom wall at a terminal end to retain the second object in the second mounting member.
 7. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the third mounting member comprises a wall having a cylindrical shape to form an opening having a circular cross-sectional configuration with an open end to receive the third object.
 8. The bracket of claim 7 wherein the third mounting member is configured to support the roller shade.
 9. The bracket of claim 6 wherein the second mounting member is configured to support blinds.
 10. The bracket of claim 4 wherein the first mounting member is configured to support a curtain rod.
 11. A system for mounting window treatments, such as curtain rods, blinds, and roller shades, to a structure surrounding a window opening, the system comprising at least two mounting brackets, each mounting bracket comprising: an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end having a first mounting member configured to support a first object having a circular cross-sectional configuration; a second mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a second object having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a third object having a circular cross-sectional configuration.
 12. The bracket of claim 11 wherein the arm is formed with a bend along a length of the arm to offset the distal end in a first direction from the proximal end.
 13. The bracket of claim 12 wherein the first mounting member is U-shaped to receive the curtain rod.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the second mounting member comprises a back wall and a bottom wall and utilizes the arm as a top wall, the first mounting member having an open front to receive the second object.
 15. The bracket of claim 14 wherein the second mounting member comprises a lip on the bottom wall at a terminal end to retain blinds in the second mounting member.
 16. The bracket of claim 11 wherein the third mounting member comprises a wall having a cylindrical shape to form an opening having a circular cross-sectional configuration with an open end to receive the third object.
 17. The mounting system of claim 11, further comprising at least one center bracket having an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end and adapted for mounting to the structure and a distal end extending from the proximal end, the distal end having a first mounting member configured to support the curtain rod; and a second mounting member located at the proximal end and adapted to receive the blinds having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration, the second mounting member having a back wall extending from the arm and a bottom wall extending from the back wall towards the distal end of the arm, the bottom wall having a lip at a terminal end thereof, the second mounting member having an open front wall to receive the second object.
 18. A window treatment system for providing privacy and decoration for a window and an area adjacent the window, the system comprising: at least two mounting brackets for mounting a curtain rod, a roller shade, and a blind to the area adjacent the window, each mounting bracket comprising: an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end adapted for mounting to the area adjacent the structure and a distal end laterally offset from the proximal end and having a first mounting member configured to support the curtain rod; a second mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive to receive a box having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration from which the blinds are hung; and a third mounting member located at the proximal end of the arm and adapted to receive a roller shade having a circular cross-sectional configuration.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising at least one center bracket having an elongate mounting arm having a proximal end and adapted for mounting to the area adjacent the window and a distal end having a first mounting member configured to support the curtain rod; and a second mounting member located at the proximal end and adapted to receive a second object having a quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration, the first mounting member having a back wall extending from the arm and a bottom wall extending from the back wall towards the distal end of the arm, the bottom wall having a lip at a terminal end thereof, the first mounting member having an open front wall and no side walls.
 20. The system of claim 18 wherein the arm on each of the mounting brackets and center bracket is formed with a bend along a length of the arm to offset the distal end of the arm vertically from the proximal end of the arm.
 21. The system of claim 18 wherein the third mounting member comprises a wall having a cylindrical shape that defines an opening having a circular cross-sectional configuration and at least one open end to receive a mounting end of the roller shade. 